Review: Volkswagen’s big new people carrier is creating quite a Buzz

Published on 7 January, 2023

Overview

And they said the people carrier (MPV: multi-purpose vehicle, remember) is dead.

How wrong could they be?

It’s alive and kicking most outrageously in the remarkable-looking new electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz.

The automotive giant has created something special here – as far as looks and space are concerned anyway – but there are one or two areas where it falls a wee bit short.

As a general observation, it is amazing what can be achieved now that design, and space-hogging, considerations of internal combustion engines no longer get in the way of dramatic visuals.

The Buzz is perhaps the most out-there example of the freedom that fosters real flair in a production car.

This extraordinary looking MPV (there, I’ve said it again) drew lots of attention.

We giggled as we surveyed an array of Buzz peekers: oncoming drivers registering shock and awe, the elderly gentleman walking around and peering in and walking around and peering in again, leaving with a perplexed look on his face; a young man on his bicycle furtively taking phone pics before speeding away... and so it went on right down to one of my neighbours who (sole exception) didn’t like the look of it. Let’s give it a 99pc approval rating then.

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But where does the Buzz come from? Believe it or not, it is based on the same scalable platform as the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4 and ID. 5 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that have been on sale here for some time now.

It goes to show how flexible an EV platform can be as the Buzz is much longer than any of the aforementioned; its wheelbase has been lengthened by nearly 3,000mm (think similar to the Caravelle). But because of ridiculously short overhangs, it is around 200mm shorter It is also a bit lower (though it looks quite tall) and 600mm wider.

All of which gives enormous space in its huge cabin.

When I say huge I mean there is excellent room across the two front seats and two of the three in the rear. The middle one is OK for young teens.

The cabin was definitely worth waiting for; the front section in particular.

It is radically different in concept and design. Such is the panoramic envelopment of light via the windscreen and surroundings it felt like I was in a glasshouse on four wheels.

The bright dash design gives it an enormous lift as well (there are myriad cubbyholes and little shelves).

I soaked up a brilliant driving position. It was so much a sense of ship-captain vantage that I couldn’t help but feel good (not always my default emotion) when I sat in.

The rear passengers get in via sliding doors and there was no worry about leg or head room.

I admit I had fears about parking such a large machine in a few tight spots but, because it is rear-wheel-drive the turning circle is good and tight, my fears abated somewhat.

Copious prompts, pics and reversing aids helped too.

I really don’t know when I saw as much cargo space in the one place on a car – not since the large, deep transport box on the back of our old Massey Ferguson 135.

But don’t think it was always quite that easy a drive around suburbia. How could it be with the size of this occupying a bulky footprint? There were a couple of intakes of breath on narrower roads with oncoming traffic.

It so happened that my time as captain of this road-going ferry coincided with a couple of longer sailings as well as slow city traffic that would have been even more tiresome were it not for being aboard the Buzz.

I mention the longer, motorway, journeys because they rather quickly brought down the range in the 77kWh battery. It and the 204PS electric motor, which drives the rear wheels, is good for 425km between charges.

Well that’s what Volkswagen claim. I think in the real world it is a good bit lower. I would certainly have liked more.

There will be different versions, no doubt, so it’s bound to expand range (and price, I imagine). With a full complement of passengers and accoutrements on board, it would certainly need to. There will be a 7-seater – there already is a cargo version.

Would I buy it? Of course I would. If I had the money and the need for such a big bus in my life. It was great fun and I don’t know when I was as taken by a motor.

It is probably too large for most people’s requirements especially with how on-road space for cars is being restricted.

But the Buzz has a unique vibe and that is what will attract buyers. There isn’t anything like it for the money (not cheap at €66,000-plus).

Factfile​

Volkswagen ID.Buzz; 77kWh battery, 204 PS electric motor, twin sliding doors, claimed range 425kms. ‘Life’ trim from €66,070: Discover Pro navigation, infotainment system (10in t/screen), LED headlights, wireless charging. ‘Family’ (€70,640) adds LED matrix headlights, rear view camera, Park Assist. ‘Tech’ (€72,235): 20in alloys, electric tailgate, 12in t/screen. ID. ‘Buzz Max’ (€76,115) 21in alloys, electric sliding doors. 30-colour ambient lighting.

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